Christopher Edward Byrne

Christopher Edward Byrne (April 21, 1867 – April 1, 1950) was an American prelate of the Roman Catholic Church. He served as bishop of the Diocese of Galveston in Texas from 1918 until his death.

Biography

Early life Byrne was born on April 21, 1867, in Byrnesville, Missouri, to Patrick and Rose Byrne. After attending the village school where his father taught, he earned a Bachelor of Arts at St. Mary's Academy and College in 1886.

Priesthood Byrne was ordained a priest for the Archdiocese of St. Louis by Archbishop Peter Richard Kenrick in St. Louis, on September 23, 1891. After his ordination, Byrne served as a curate at St. Bridget's Parish in St. Louis. In 1897, he was appointed pastor of Sacred Heart Parish in Columbia, Missouri. Years later, Byrne said that a doctor had told him when he reached age 30, his heart disease would kill him in a few months.

Death Byrne died on April 1, 1950, aged 82, in Galveston, from a myocardial infraction. He is buried at Calvary Cemetery, in Galveston.